Stories of
American Heroes -
Brought to you from the "Home of Heroes" - Pueblo, Colorado

William James Bordelon

TAPS

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky,
Gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh,
Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, From the hills,
From the sky.
All is well, safely rest,
God is nigh.

Then good night, Peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn
Shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear,
Friend, good night.

National Memorial Cemetery
of the Pacific
Disinterred in 1995

New Gravesite
In Texas

Born:December 25, 1920 at San
Antonio, TX

Entered
Service in the US Marine Corps from Texas

Earned the Medal of Honor during World War II For
heroism November 20, 1943 atTarawa,
Gilbert Islands

Died:November
20, 1943 at the age of 22

*William Bordelon was exhumed from National Memorial of the Pacific Cemetery, Honolulu, HI in November 1995, and was the fifth person to lie in state at the Alamo shrine prior to final burial at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.

Landing in the
assault waves in action against the Japanese-held atoll of
Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, and facing a withering enemy fire
which killed all but four of the men in his tractor, Staff
Sergeant Bordelon hurriedly made demolition charges and
personally put two pillboxes out of action. Hit by enemy
machinegun fire just as a charge exploded in his hand while
assaulting a third position, he courageously remained in action
and, although out of demolition, provided himself with a rifle
and furnished fire coverage for a group of men scaling the
seawall. Disregarding his own serious condition, he
unhesitatingly went to the aid of one of his demolition men,
wounded and calling for help in the water, rescuing this man and
another who had been hit by enemy fire while attempting to make
the rescue. Still refusing first aid for himself, he again made
up demolition charges and single-handedly assaulted a fourth
Japanese machinegun position but was instantly killed when
caught in a final burst of fire from the enemy.